Wat Suwandararam

Wat Suwandararam was built in the late Ayutthaya by the father of King Yodfa (Rama I) of the Chakri dynasty. It was formerly known as Wat Thong (Golden Temple). Wat Suwandararam was one of the first monasteries in Ayutthaya to receive royal patronage after the city's fall in 1767 CE, and this temple continued to be beautified by future Chakri Kings.

King Rama II began reconstructing the ordination hall (ubosot), but it was not completed until the reign of Rama III, who had the walls painted with elaborate murals. These murals were renovated during the reign of King Nangklao (1824-1851 CE), also known as Rama III. King Chulalongkorn improved the ordination hall and monk’s quarters (Kuti). King Vajiravudh contributed glazed tiles to the roofs.

This ordination hall also has a delicately carved wooden gable with various mythological figures on display. A secondary structure at Wat Suwandararam is its sermon hall (vihara), which contains several murals depicting the story of King Naresuan. Phraya Anusas Jitrakorn painted these murals during the reign of King Prajadhipok (1925-1935 CE). His work was not completed until 1931 CE. A large bell-shaped chedi sits on an upraised platform behind this sermon hall. Some white chedis surround it.

Ayutthaya Historical Research